Need a National Property Database So that Appraisers Are Not Stuck in Rules and Legal Risks 

JAKARTA - Law Number 2 of 2012 concerning the procurement of land for development for public interest stipulates that the procurement of land must be carried out by providing reasonable and fair compensation. This provision is contained in Article 6.

Meanwhile, Article 31 of the same law states that the assessment of damages is carried out by an appraiser appointed by the Land Agency. These two articles, according to the Chairman of the National Board of Directors of the Indonesian Appraisal Profession Society (DPN MAPPI) Budi Prasodjo, imply that appraisers have a strategic role in bringing a sense of justice, especially in determining the value of damages.

However, in practice, this role often encounters obstacles. Appraisers are often in an unfavorable position because the results of the assessment are considered to be detrimental to the state. In fact, it is not uncommon for appraisers to be blamed for various factors beyond their control.

Budi revealed that the lack of a publicly accessible national property database forced assessors to use bid data as a benchmark. In fact, bid data has a high level of subjectivity.

"The danger of the supply data is that its value depends very much on the mood of the owner or property agent," said Budi in an electronic message received in Jakarta, Saturday, January 31.

The problem becomes more complex when the supply data used by the appraiser is different from the data obtained by law enforcement during the investigation process.

This difference often puts assessors in a defensive position because they are considered to use inaccurate data, which then leads to accusations of mark-ups and harming the country.

In the near future, at least three legal cases related to land procurement assessments have been recorded. This situation has raised concerns within MAPPI and has created the hashtag "Save Penilai".

"This hashtag is a form of concern, introspection, and anticipatory steps," said Budi.

As a follow-up, the DPN MAPPI has sent a circular letter regarding the risk mitigation of land procurement assessments to public assessment offices. In addition, MAPPI is also preparing a letter of request for professional protection to a number of ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of ATR/BPN, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.

Budi appealed to assessors who face legal problems to convey information early. According to him, this step opens up opportunities for resolving problems without having to go through the legal process.

He admitted that some assessors were reluctant to report because they felt they were able to handle the problem themselves or were afraid that reporting would weaken their office's position. However, he emphasized the importance of preventive measures, including considering carefully before accepting land procurement assessment assignments.

In order to strengthen the protection of the profession, Budi invited land assessors to attend a Group Discussion Forum (FGD) held by the Ministry of Finance on February 11, 2026 at the STAN Building.

The FGD will discuss the latest findings related to legal cases involving appraisers and is attended by representatives from the Financial Audit Agency, the Ministry of PUPR, and the Ministry of ATR/BPN. This forum is expected to minimize legal risks and strengthen solidarity among land appraisers.